Two of Alabama most utilized wildlife management areas received a guaranteed future for generations this past week when the state's Forever Wild program locked up 61,000 acres in an unheard of 93-year lease.

Both the Cahaba River WMA and Mulberry Fork WMA will have futures guaranteed through 2103 thanks to the brilliant deal brokered by the Forever Wild board. The deal is especially significant because it will ensure hunting and recreational land in the greater Birmingham area where such land is at a premium.

The deal will not add acreage to the two WMAs but it guarantees they will not lose any during the next 93 years as has happened to WMAs across the state. The deal will protect 61,138 acres of recreational land in Bibb, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties.

The Forever Wild board convinced Jackson, Miss.-based Molpus Timberlands Management that a long-term deal would benefit both Alabamians and that company.

Molpus Timberlands Management manages the timber within the leased area. The company and Forever Wild have been in discussions for more than two years.

The deal means 27,800 acres within the Bibb and Shelby county portions of the Cahaba River WMA will remain for public use and 33,280 acres within Tuscaloosa and Walker counties in the Mulberry Fork WMA will do the same.

The land can be used for hunting, wildlife watching, hiking and many other outdoors endeavors.

Molpus Timberlands Management is hinting that other such agreements could be in the works.

"Recreational opportunities abound within a well-managed, working forest and this agreement makes these opportunities available to be enjoyed by an increased number of people," said Ken Sewell, chief operating officer of Molpus Timberlands Management. "Hopefully, this is the first of several such transactions we are able to play a role in developing."

With the agreement, Forever Wild has now passed the 200,000-acre mark in Alabama lands that it has purchased or signed to long-term leases. Forever Wild was created in 1992 by a constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by Alabama voters.

State Lands Director Patti Powell was exactly right this past week, explaining how the Forever Wild program is allowing for some incredible recreational benefits that otherwise wouldn't be possible during these times when governments across the U.S. are strapped for cash.

"Alabama is benefiting from some unique land opportunities at a time when other options are extremely limited," she said. "No other program can deliver these large recreational opportunities for our citizens."

It has been 17 years since the formation of Forever Wild and Alabamians are still witnessing political promises being delivered. In that time, there has never been a hint of scandal in the Forever Wild program.